Nemesia plant named ‘Fleurame’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Nemesia  plant named ‘Fleurame’ that is characterized by upright, compact habit, dark-green leaves, and strongly fragrant flowers that are pale pink, lavender and purple in color with yellow eyes and white throats. In combination these characteristics set ‘Fleurame’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Nemesia  known to the inventor.

Genus: Nemesia.

Species: ×hybrida.

Denomination: Fleurame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Nemesiaplant that is grown as an ornamental for border, patio container orhanging basket. The new cultivar is known botanically as Nemesia×hybridaand will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘Fleurame’. Thenew variety ‘Fleurame’ is floriferous, sets few seeds, exhibits uprightcompact habit, medium-green leaves, and strongly fragrant flowers thatappear as shades of soft pink, lavender and purple colors with yelloweyes and white throats.

‘Fleurame’ is a hybrid that resulted from a formal breeding programbegun by the inventor in 1998 at her nursery in West Sussex, UnitedKingdom. The purpose of the breeding program is to produce new varietiesof Nemesia that exhibit compact habit, new flower color and improvedflower size.

In 2001, the inventor cross-pollinated Nemesia seedling #42 (femaleparent), an unpatented and unreleased selection from a prior crossbetween the inventor's variety Nemesia ‘Melanie’ (unpatented) andanother unnamed seedling from the same program, with Nemesia ‘Claudette’(male parent), an unpatented selection from the same breeding program.The inventor collected the seed, then sowed and grew to flowering stagemany plants from this cross-pollination. The inventor selected‘Fleurame’ as a single plant with the desired characteristics describedherein.

In comparison with its parents, ‘Fleurame’ exhibits different flowercolors, as follows: the female parent, Nemesia seedling #42, carriespink or lilac colored flowers; and the male parent, Nemesia ‘Claudette’,carries darker mauve pink flowers. Nemesia seedling #42 is also shorterin height than ‘Fleurame’,

‘Fleurame’ was first asexually propagated by the inventor in 2002 in acultivated area of West Sussex, United Kingdom using softwood cuttings.The distinguishing characteristics of ‘Fleurame’ have been determinedstable and are reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of ‘Fleurame’. In combination thesetraits set the new cultivar apart from all other existing varieties ofNemesia known to the inventor. ‘Fleurame’ has not been tested under allpossible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however,without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. Nemesia×hybrida ‘Fleurame’ exhibits upright, compact habit.    -   2. The flowers of Nemesia×hybrida ‘Fleurame’ are soft pink,        lavender and purple in color with a yellow eyes and white        throats.    -   3. Nemesia×hybrida ‘Fleurame’ exhibits strongly fragrant        flowers.    -   4. Nemesia×hybrida ‘Fleurame’ is an ornamental plant that is        suitable for use in borders, patio containers, or hanging        baskets.    -   5. Nemesia×hybrida ‘Fleurame’ achieves 13 cm. in height and        15 cm. in width when grown to flowering in a 1-liter container.    -   6. Nemesia×hybrida ‘Fleurame’ is asexually propagated using the        method of softwood cuttings.    -   7. Nemesia×hybrida ‘Fleurame’ exhibits dark-green leaves.    -   8. Nemesia×hybrida ‘Fleurame’ is hardy to minus 6° Centigrade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings labeled as FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustratethe overall appearance of the new Nemesia cultivar ‘Fleurame’ showingthe colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in coloredreproductions of this type. Colors in the drawings may differ from thecolor values cited in the detailed botanical description, whichaccurately describe the actual colors of the new variety ‘Fleurame’. Thedrawings are made from 4-month-old plants grown in 1-liter containersunder greenhouse conditions in Encinitas, Calif.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 1 depicts an individual whole plant growingin a 1-liter container.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the flower.

Drawings were made using conventional techniques and although colors mayappear different from actual colors due to light reflectance, they areas accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the Nemesia plant named‘Fleurame’. Data was collected in 2004 in Arroyo Grande, Calif. from a3-month old plant grown in 1-liter container under greenhouseconditions. Phenotypic differences may be observed with variations inenvironmental, climatic, and cultural conditions. The colordeterminations are in accordance with the 2001 Edition of The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, except where general color terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Nemesia×hybrida ‘Fleurame’.-   Genus: Nemesia.-   Species: ×hybrida.-   Denomination: ‘Fleurame’.-   Commercial classification: Ornamental.-   Common name: Nemesia.-   Suggested uses: For use in borders, patio containers, or hanging    baskets.-   Suggested commercial container size: 9 cm. or 1-liter commercial    containers.-   Cultural needs: Full sun, moist acidic well-draining soil and    regular water.-   Parentage: Nemesia ‘Fleurame’ is a hybrid that resulted from the    cross-pollination of the following parent plants:    -   -   Seed parent.—Nemesia seedling #42.        -   Pollen parent.—Nemesia ‘Claudette’.-   Propagation: Softwood cuttings.-   Growth habit: Upright, compact habit.-   Vigor: Vigorous.-   Plant dimensions: 13 cm. in height and 15 cm. in width when grown to    flowering in a 1-liter container.-   Type: Perennial.-   Seasonal interest: Blooms in spring with flowers that are purple in    color with yellow eyes and white throats.-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 14 days are needed to develop    roots on initial cuttings.-   Temperatures to initiate rooting: The air temperature that is    recommended for rooting is 16° Centigrade and the soil temperature    that is recommended for rooting is 24° Centigrade.-   Crop time: Approximately 8 weeks are needed to produce a finished    9 cm. container plant from a rooted cutting, and 2-3 months are    needed to produce a finished 1-liter container plant from a rooted    cutting.-   Root system: Fine.-   Hardiness: Hardy to minus 6° Centigrade.-   Disease and pest susceptibility: ‘Fleurame’ is susceptible to    viruses and whitefly.-   Special growing requirements:    -   -   Pruning.—Pinch back when potted from plug to commercial            container.        -   Soil.—70% medium grade peat, 10% coarse peat and 20% 12 mm.            bark.        -   Light.—Normal daylight.-   Growing problems: None known to the inventor.-   Stem:    -   -   Stem shape.—Quadrate.        -   Stem length.—20 cm. in length.        -   Stem diameter.—3 mm. in diameter.        -   Stem surface.—Glabrous.        -   Stem color.—137D.        -   Pubescence.—None observed.        -   Stem texture.—Flexible and fleshy.        -   Internode length.—1.50 cm. between nodes.        -   Branching habit.—Ascending.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Type.—Evergreen.        -   Leaf shape.—Oval.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Margins.—Dentate.        -   Surface.—Glabrous.        -   Leaf pubescence.—None observed.        -   Leaf length.—Individual leaves range from 2-3 cm. in length.        -   Leaf width.—Individual leaves range from 0.75-1.50 cm. in            width.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—137A.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—N138B.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole shape.—Sulcate.        -   Petiole surface.—Glabrous.        -   Petiole dimensions.—6 mm. in length and 1.75 mm. in            diameter.        -   Petiole color.—137A.        -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Vein color (adaxial surfaces).—137A.        -   Vein color (abaxial surfaces).—N138B.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flowering season.—Spring.        -   Fragrance.—Strongly perfumed scent.        -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning.        -   Type of inflorescence.—Corymb.        -   Quantity of flowers.—An average of 25 flowers per 1-liter            container plant.        -   Inflorescence dimensions.—4 cm. in length and 4 cm. in            width.        -   Peduncle dimensions.—3 cm. in length and 2 mm. in diameter.        -   Peduncle shape.—Quadrate.        -   Peduncle surface.—Glabrous.        -   Peduncle color.—139B.        -   Pedicel dimensions.—9 mm. in length and 0.25 mm. in            diameter.        -   Pedicel shape.—Quadrate.        -   Pedicel surface.—Glabrous.        -   Pedicel color.—139C.        -   Bud shape.—Cordate.        -   Bud color.—64B.        -   Bud surface.—Glabrous.        -   Bud dimensions.—7 mm. in diameter and 7 mm. in length.        -   Quantity of buds.—An average of 25 individual buds per            1-liter container plant.        -   Flower shape.—Personate.        -   Flower dimensions.—2 cm. in length and 2 cm. in width.        -   Flower color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Individual            colors 5A, 75A, 155A, and 76A are present on an individual            flower.        -   Corolla tube dimensions.—6 mm. in length and 2 mm. in            diameter.        -   Corolla tube color (inner and outer surfaces).—155A.        -   Palate color (eye of flower).—Adaxial surface is 5A and            abaxial surface is 5D.        -   Palate dimensions.—3 mm. in length and 5 mm. in width.        -   Nectary color.—3A.        -   Nectary dimensions.—3 mm. in width and 6 mm. in length.        -   Nectary surface.—Lanate.        -   Upper lip dimensions.—2 cm. in width and 1 cm. in length.        -   Upper lip color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Individual            colors 76A and 75A are individually present.        -   Lower lip dimensions.—2 cm. in width and 1 cm. in length.        -   Lower lip color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Individual            colors 76A, 5A, and 75A are individually present.        -   Upper lip margins.—Lobed and entire.        -   Lower lip margin.—Entire.        -   Number of lobes (upper lip).—Four lobes in number.        -   Fused or unfused (upper lip).—Lobes basally fused.        -   Lobe dimensions (upper lip).—Each lobe is 5 mm. in width and            6 mm. in length.        -   Upper lip apices.—Each lobe exhibits a rounded apex.        -   Lower lip apex.—Closest to emarginate.        -   Upper lip surfaces (adaxial and abaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Lower lip surfaces (adaxial and abaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Calyx dimensions.—3 mm. in length and 4 mm. in width.        -   Calyx shape.—Explanate.        -   Sepals.—Five in number.        -   Sepal dimensions.—2 mm. in length and 1 mm. in width.        -   Sepal surface.—Glabrous.        -   Sepal shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Sepal apex.—Acute.        -   Sepal base.—Cuneate.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepals fused or unfused.—Unfused.        -   Sepal color (adaxial surface).—137B.        -   Sepal color (abaxial surface).—137B.        -   Lastingness of individual flower on the plant.—An individual            flower lasts 7-10 days.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Two in number.        -   Color of stamens.—155A.        -   Stamen dimensions.—2 mm. in length and less than 0.25 mm. in            diameter.        -   Anther color.—5C.        -   Amount of pollen.—Moderate.        -   Pollen color.—5C.        -   Anther dimensions.—1 mm. in length and less than 0.50 mm. in            width.        -   Pistil.—One.        -   Pistil color.—144D.        -   Pistil dimensions.—1 mm. in length and 0.25 mm. in diameter.        -   Ovary dimensions.—Less than 0.50 mm. in height and less than            0.50 mm. in diameter.        -   Ovary shape.—Globular.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary color.—144D.-   Seed:    -   -   Quantity of seed.—On average, approximately 2 per flower.        -   Seed shape.—Flattened oval.        -   Seed color.—200D.        -   Seed dimensions.—An average of 2 mm. in length and 1.25 mm.            in width.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Nemesia plant named ‘Fleurame’ as described and illustrated herein. 